Creating a list of
recommended Catholic children's books involves selecting titles that both
engage young readers and impart valuable religious and moral lessons. Here are
some beloved Catholic children's books across various age ranges:
Picture Books (Ages 3-7)
1. "The Weight of a
Mass: A Tale of Faith" by Josephine Nobisso
- A beautifully
illustrated story that teaches about the power and importance of the Mass.
2. "Patrick: Patron
Saint of Ireland" by Tomie dePaola
- A well-loved
book that tells the story of St. Patrick in an engaging and accessible way for
young children.
3. "The Donkey That No
One Could Ride" by Anthony DeStefano
- A charming story
about a humble donkey that carries Jesus into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.
4. "God Gave Us You"
by Lisa Tawn Bergren
- A tender story
that explains to children how they are a precious gift from God to their
parents.
5. "The Jesus Storybook
Bible" by Sally Lloyd-Jones
- While not
exclusively Catholic, this beautifully illustrated book tells the story of
Jesus in a way that is accessible to young children.
Early Readers (Ages 6-9)
1. "The Children's Book
of Saints" by Louis M. Savary
- A collection of
short biographies of saints that are easy to read and understand for young
readers.
2. "Saint George and
the Dragon" by Margaret Hodges
- A beautifully
illustrated retelling of the legend of Saint George, perfect for young readers.
3. "Brother Francis of
Assisi" by Tomie dePaola
- A simple and
engaging introduction to the life of St. Francis, illustrated by a beloved
children's author.
4. "Our Lady’s Wardrobe"
by Anthony DeStefano
- A beautifully
illustrated book that introduces children to various Marian apparitions and
titles.
Middle Grade (Ages 8-12)
1. "The Miraculous
Medal: The Story of Our Lady's Appearances to St. Catherine Laboure"
by Mary Fabyan Windeatt
- A detailed yet
accessible retelling of the apparitions of Our Lady to St. Catherine Laboure.
2. "The Weight of a
Mass: A Tale of Faith" by Josephine Nobisso
- A tale that
helps children understand the significance and power of the Mass.
3. "Saint Therese and
the Roses" by Helen Walker Homan
- A beautiful
biography of St. Therese of Lisieux for children, part of the Vision Books
series.
4. "Kingdom of
Happiness: Living the Beatitudes in Everyday Life" by Fr. Jeffrey
Kirby
- A guide for
children to understand and live out the Beatitudes in their daily lives.
Teen Readers (Ages 12+)
1. "The Shadow of His
Wings: The True Story of Fr. Gereon Goldmann" by Gereon Goldmann
- The incredible
true story of a seminarian who becomes a priest during World War II, full of
faith and adventure.
2. "Fire of Mercy, Heart of the Word: Meditations on the Gospel According to St. Matthew" by Erasmo Leiva-Merikakis
- While a bit more
advanced, this book offers deep reflections on the Gospel of Matthew, suitable
for older teens interested in deepening their understanding of Scripture.
Series
1. "Little Acts of
Grace" series by Rosemarie Gortler and Donna Piscitelli
- These books help
children understand the importance of small acts of faith and piety in their
daily lives.
2. "Vision Books"
series
- A classic series
of biographies of saints and important figures in the Catholic Church, written
for young readers.
These books are designed to
instill a deep sense of faith, morality, and understanding of Catholic
traditions and values in children. They make wonderful additions to any
Catholic family's library and can serve as excellent gifts for religious
occasions such as baptisms, First Communions, and Confirmations.